Takeaway
Being an excellent consulting physician, much like a choreographer, hinges on the harmonious coordination of collaboration and communication, all while prioritizing patient-centered care.
Passion in the Medical Profession | June 17, 2025 | 3 min read
By Tracy Friedlander, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
In medicine we often reference the “art” of medicine which aims to balance scientific evidence-based care with the intangible and more personalized approach to patients. As a consulting physician, the same artistic perspective has helped me craft my approach in the pursuit of excellence. As a physiatrist and long retired dancer, I connect everything to movement; being an excellent consulting physician can be compared to a choreographer. It hinges on the flow and coordination of several key principles: collaboration, communication, compassion, and dedication to patient-centered care, as well as continuous learning and self-improvement.
Collaboration
Collaboration is the foundation of the multidisciplinary landscape of modern healthcare. With any ensemble, the movement of all parts of the team is most effective when communication and mutual respect is flowing. This allows each member to contribute their expertise and efforts to optimize comprehensive and coordinated care.
I’m fortunate to have an exceptional team of rehab therapists, liaisons, admissions office staff, nursing, and administration that are supportive and work seamlessly together to address patient care needs and healthcare system processes. By trusting the expertise of my colleagues and engaging in open dialogue, I’m afforded the opportunity to offer excellence in patient care as part of the physical medicine and rehabilitation consultation services at Johns Hopkins.
Communication
Clear, concise, and compassionate communication with patients and their families, as well as with referring providers and case management teams fosters trust within the healthcare systems and empowers patients to participate in their care decisions. This involves actively listening and breaking down the complexity of rehabilitation and recovery. It also involves navigating the nuances of the healthcare system to meet the criteria for acute inpatient rehabilitation in addition to offering care and treatment that enhances patient overall function and well-being.
Compassion
All great choreography expresses emotions that allow the audience to connect to the work. Similarly, being a physician is a “calling” driven by compassion and a connection to patients’ and our own emotions. When caring for those with sudden or chronic disability or changes in function, compassion means genuinely understanding their experiences, fears, and hopes. By actively listening and validating the journey of each patient, we can build relationships through mutual trust and shared goals for the best possible care.
Dedication to patient-centered care
It’s essential to engage patients in the decision-making process to achieve patient-centered care. Finding the balance between our recommendations, patient goals and beliefs, and compassion for patients can sometimes be a great challenge, especially when those forces diverge. This is not unlike choreography, leaving space for individual expression of the movement while preserving the artistic vision. Finding solutions that meet patient needs and wishes with the available resources of the healthcare system is the ultimate creative process.
Lifelong learning
I was recently awarded the Johns Hopkins Clinical Excellence Award for “Outstanding Consulting Physician,” which is an honor I hope to continue to deserve. Providing the best possible care as consulting physicians means staying attuned to the latest developments and recognizing our own limitations and opportunities for growth. We must always be willing to adapt our practice, listen to feedback, and work to meet the needs of patients and the ever-changing healthcare system. My own commitment to lifelong learning drives me to continuously enhance my clinical skills and inspires trust and confidence with my patients and colleagues.
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This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.